Firstly congratulations on getting to the Final Four with impressive wins over both Austria and Switzerland. How did you first become involved with the Italian team?

“I first learned of the Italian National Team or the Blue Team, while I was playing for the now efunct Wroclaw Outlaws in Poland’s top league. One of the former Wroclaw players and co-founder of The Podyum, Marcus Sims, put me in touch with another American-Italian, Cody Pastorino (Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns) about playing for the Blue Team. After a conversation with Cody, I then spoke with the team’s head coach, Davide Giuliano, who welcomed me to a team camp which was June 2017, in preparation for the then upcoming European Championships, which Italy was to play against Austria, Germany, and France. After going through multiple camps in 2017 with the team, we unfortunately did not get to play in the European Championships after the debacle of the political situation within IFAF, but we were able to host Switzerland for the 3rd edition of the Alps Bowl at the beginning of 2018. Following this game I was unsure when we would next be convened, which proved to be a lengthy wait.”

How long have you been part of the squad and what was the selection process for the latest round of qualifications games?

“I’ve been a part of the team since June of 2017. Our selection process for the current team began mid-summer of this year, when we had back-to-back weekends with selection camps in Bologna. Following these two camps we cut down the roster and had a further camp in Bologna in September. These camps were interesting as I met new players and got to deepen bonds with teammates that I got to know back in 2017. The thing I love most about the Blue Team, aside from the great food, are the friendships I’ve made. There are so many talented guys on our team and what’s even crazier is how young some of them are! Finally we had a week-long camp in the week leading up to our game against Austria. This camp was very unique as we had it on an Italian Air Force base and were in the Northeast of Italy, as we would be travelling to Vienna for the game. Following on, the game against Switzerland, which we hosted in Milan, we had a shorter run-up to, but equally unique.”

The first game you played was in Austria who were one of the favourite to qualify based on previous results and tournaments. How was that experience? What were the preparations with travel and the weeks leading up to the game?

“The game-day experience in Vienna was great, it reminded me of playing state-side. When our bus arrived at their stadium and I mean stadium, there were people tailgating three-hours beforehand, something I hadn’t seen outside the States. The field and facilities were great, aside from our locker rooms! So much preparation had gone into this game and we felt very comfortable taking the field against one the best teams in Europe. We knew that we would need to play a fantastic game but everyone from the coaches, to support staff prepared us with such care that we were primed for the game. The scene when the game ended is something I will always remember and cherish. Being able to knock-off one of Europe’s ‘powerhouse’ programmes was such an incredible feeling but one that we 100% knew we could accomplish.”

The second game was in Milan in front of the home fans. We had several players who played in the stadium a few years ago at the 2013 tournament and said the Italian fans created a great atmosphere, how was it this time around?

“The Velodromo Vigorelli is such a unique stadium. Most stadiums in Europe are designed for football or rugby, whereas this stadium has a cycling track around the field. The field itself, which was just redone, is an American-football only field. Even better, it is a rubber-crumb field which proved important as the game against Switzerland was in the rain! Despite the rain the Blue Team loyalist turned up, thanks in part to plenty of covered seating! The atmosphere was electric as a win against Switzerland meant Italy was going back to the final four, a feat not accomplished since 1976 I believe. To sum it up simply, the atmosphere against Switzerland was awesome. More so, I am incredibly thankful to be a part of such an important moment in Italian American Football history and look forward to 2020!”

“Finally, I would like to thank everyone that has helped make this possible for me, especially Coach Giuliano, Manfredi Leone, Julia Barron, and Susan Foster.”

© Sarah Phillip who also produce the photograph in the Thumbnail.

Interview with Palmer Foster: Making the Final Four with the Italian National Team